The three funnest sports illnesses over the past decade or so: Linsanity, Tebowmania, and the, uh, Colin Kaepernick-induced condition.

That last malady needs a catchy name. Because one symptom of the Kaepernick thing is overbreathing until you're lightheaded, it could be called Kaeperventilation. Or how about Colunacy? Or maybe Kaeperbonkers?

-- They're overachievers. If you tell me you knew Kaepernick would be a star because you saw him in college, thanks, but this is the NFL, graveyard of superstar college quarterbacks, OK?

Tebow was written off by many as even a marginal NFL quarterback. Lin was a fringe-fringe NBA player at best until last season. Until two weeks ago, Kaepernick was one of a big group of young quarterbacks with intriguing potential.

-- All three of these fellows are deeply religious.

-- All three are humble, likable, highly dedicated to their sport, high-character, and smart-smart.

-- All three got their opportunity through team desperation. No matter how high Jim Harbaugh was on his young quarterback, Alex Smith was Harbaugh's guy for this entire season, until the bell-ringing.

Here's how Kaepernick is unique in his threesome: You can't poke holes in his game.

With Lin and Tebow, even if you enjoyed the circus, you knew it couldn't last. Tebow is an NFL quarterback who can't pass. Lin parlayed Linsanity into a huge contract and a starting job, but find one expert who believes he'll ever be an elite guard.

To find an athlete who set off craziness like this before Lin-Tebow-Kaepernick, I believe you'd have to go back to Fernandomania. In 1981, Dodgers rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, raised in a dirt-floor hut in rural Mexico, burst onto the scene.

So debate the 49ers' quarterback situation, slug it out with your bar buddies or discuss it politely over high tea. But be sure to step back and appreciate this for the rare and enjoyable sickness that it is.